Dose-escalated radiotherapy with PET/CT based treatment planning in combination with induction and concurrent chemotherapy in locally advanced (uT3/T4) squamous cell cancer of the esophagus: mature results of a phase I/II trial.

Background: This prospective phase I/II trial assessed feasibility and efficacy of dose-escalated definitive chemoradiation after induction chemotherapy in locally advanced esophageal cancer. Primary study endpoint was loco-regional progression-free survival at 1 year.

Methods: Eligible patients received 2 cycles of induction chemotherapy with irinotecan, folinic acid and 5-fluorouracil weekly and cisplatin every 2 weeks (weeks 1-6, 8-13) followed by concurrent chemoradiation with cisplatin and irinotecan (weeks 14, 15, 17, 18, 20).

Stereotactic body radiotherapy dose and its impact on local control and overall survival of patients for locally advanced intrahepatic and extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Purpose: Non-resectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCC) is a significant therapeutic challenge because of bad prognosis. This study analyzed the outcome after SBRT for intra- and extrahepatic CCC.

Material And Methods: Sixty-four patients with 82 CCC lesions from a retrospective multicenter database were analyzed.

Correlation of F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography Parameters with Patterns of Disease Progression in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer after Definitive Chemoradiotherapy.

Aims: A proportion of patients with pancreatic cancer never develop metastatic disease. We evaluated a role for F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in identifying a subset of patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) who never develop metastatic disease and only experience local disease and may therefore benefit from local treatment intensification.

Material And Methods: Patients with histologically confirmed LAPC entered a single-centre phase II study of definitive upfront chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Simultaneous integrated protection : A new concept for high-precision radiation therapy.

Objective: Stereotactic radiotherapy near serial organs at risk (OAR) requires special caution. A novel intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) prescription concept termed simultaneous integrated protection (SIP) for quantifiable and comparable dose prescription to targets very close to OAR is described.

Materials And Methods: An intersection volume of a planning risk volume (PRV) with the total planning target volume (PTV) defined the protection volume (PTV).

International Association of Pancreatology (IAP)/European Pancreatic Club (EPC) consensus review of guidelines for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is one of the most devastating diseases with an extremely high mortality. Medical organizations and scientific societies have published a number of guidelines to address active treatment of pancreatic cancer. The aim of this consensus review was to identify where there is agreement or disagreement among the existing guidelines and to help define the gaps for future studies.

IP-10/CXCL10 attracts regulatory T cells: Implication for pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) are key components of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). We recently demonstrated that IP-10/CXCL10 is highly expressed by PSCs in the presence of pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and its expression correlates with infiltration by regulatory T cells (Tregs) and poor survival. Thus, stromal cells in pancreatic cancer can promote immunosuppression and tumor progression, through the expression of IP-10.

SBRT in pancreatic cancer: what is the therapeutic window?

Purpose/objective: To analyse outcome and toxicity of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) in pancreatic cancer (PDAC).

Material/methods: We systematically reviewed full reports on outcome and toxicity transforming prescription doses to equivalent doses of 2 Gy (EQD2) and biological equivalent doses (BED). Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient, regression analysis and Lyman-Kutcher-Burman modelling were used.

IP-10/CXCL10 induction in human pancreatic cancer stroma influences lymphocytes recruitment and correlates with poor survival.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterized by an abundant desmoplastic reaction driven by pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) that contributes to tumor progression. Here we sought to characterize the interactions between pancreatic cancer cells (PCCs) and PSCs that affect the inflammatory and immune response in pancreatic tumors. Conditioned media from mono- and cocultures of PSCs and PCCs were assayed for expression of cytokines and growth factors.

The stromal compartments in pancreatic cancer: are there any therapeutic targets?

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is characterised by an abundant stromal response also known as a desmoplastic reaction. Pancreatic Stellate Cells have been identified as playing a key role in pancreatic cancer desmoplasia. There is accumulating evidence that the stroma contributes to tumour progression and to the low therapeutic response of PDAC patients.